Stop #6: Bad Reichenhall

Sorry, it's been a few weeks. But back to our adventures.... 

I chose Bad Reichenhall as my next stop. I've actually been to this destination twice in my life. Both times, it was a lot of fun and something I wouldn't experience in the United States. Bad Reichenhall is located in Germany, but a stone's throw away from Salzburg, Austria. Needless to say, this little gem is a great getaway in the Alps.

Bad Reichenhall is a popular destination place for people who wish to be treated. Now what exactly is the treatment for? Well, I wondered into a healing spa with the friend once to find out more information about this. Here is what I gathered: Bad Reichenhall is located in the middle of the Alps, where salt mines have been very successful. In other words, when salt was worth more than gold, this place was THE place to be. So what comes with salt mines, well I would say a successful french fry stand, but the better answer is salt water. More specifically hot spots and salt baths. So why not capitalize on this? People come from all over Germany and Europe to Bad Reichenhall to be exposed to the humid, salty air, take baths in salt water and to just relax. Believe it or not, it is often prescribed by doctors and covered by insurance. Treatment can be for sickness, asthma, mental health, old age, etc. I dunno about you, but if someone wants to send me to Bad Reichenhall to "heal", I'll break my own leg! 

Here are some things to do when visiting Bad Reichenhall:

• Go Snow-Shoeing. Okay, so it located in the Alps, so skiing is also an option. BUT, there comes a point, when they get so much snow, skiing is not ideal. I was fortunate enough to go snow-shoeing. We were very lucky, because they were closed the day we went due to poor weather. But our guide knew the gondola operator, so it was just me, 2 other adults and 7 high school students stomping around. Now let me tell you, what a great workout. But when you see what looks like a small or mini tree in the snow, it was actually a semi-grown tree. The snow was up to 6 feet deep in certain places. What a fun day; great adventure! 
• Salt-mining! What else to do, than see the salt in it's natural habitat? Now, if you have any friends who have visited this part of Germany, or Europe, they will probably give you some kind of excited story about going to a salt mine. Now, in Bad Reichenhall, the salt mine required a white jumpsuit to protect your clothing. After acquiring your cult-looking outfit, you hop on a train that takes you almost a mile into a mountain. Then, you get the experience of sitting on 2 larger wooden rails and sliding down further into the mountain. Ok, so you actually get to do this 2 more times, but with some history lessons in between. And, you even get to cross into Austria and back (all underground, no one will see you!!): no passport required.
• Hit up a spa. There are public swimming pools, that often have both cold and hot baths. (no health problems required) 
• Wonder around downtown Bad Reichenhall. Although it's small, there are a few shops and at least one great place for pizza!

Bad Reichenhall is really a great little place, tucked away in the Alps. Just enjoy the trip and reap it's benefits! 

(Pictures: A bridge in Bad Reichenhall, tucked between 2 mountains with a river in between! Second picture: me, all ready to go trucking in some snow. Both taken in March of 2010.)

Stop #5: Hechingen, Germany

So I decided to go a little off the beaten-path, literally!
To tell you the truth, I have no idea why I went with my friends Jessica and Lisa to the city of Hechingen, Germany. Maybe it's because we had student passes with der Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar (VRN) that were good for all regional trains up to certain cities in the area. Or maybe they heard about this castle in the area. Or maybe we were bored. I have no idea.
BUT, I can tell you, we had a great time hiking around the Hohenzollern Castle. Although, our hike would have been even better if: a.) we had a map. b) the fog that coated the entire region had not been there. c) we had known exactly what were were there to see.
From the few pictures I have and the glitch of memory I have left, here's what there is to do in Hechinen, including:

• Berg Hohenzollern (or Hohenzollern Castle): The only remaining section from the first castle is the chapel, and the standing castle remaining today is the 3rd built on an isolated mountain. The castle dates back to the 11th Century. It remains the house of the Hohenzollern family, a noble family and royal dynasty of electors, kings and emperors of Prussia, Germany and Romania (so says Wikipedia). Who knew that the Prussian king was also the German Emperor?! AND that there was actually one today, although he is not recognized by the Federal Republic of Germany... AND he is 158th in line for the British Throne, should something happen to the other 157 people in front of him!! I wonder if he got his invite to Kate and William's wedding yet....

Sadly, I learned more reading about Hechingen on Wikipedia tonight that I did when I actually visited it. But it was a beautiful castle, although one cannot go through most of it. We enjoyed walking around it and a sample of trinkets and rooms open to the public.
(Upper picture: City Square in Hechingen, Germany. Lower picture: Hohenzollern Castle. Both June 2007.)

Stop #4: Heidelberg, Germany

Special, Valentine's Day post:
 
Ich hab' mein Herz in Heidelberg verloren! <3 

For those of you who do not speak German, the translation goes "I lost my heart in Heidelberg!". This, my friends, is quite true. The first place I've ever lived besides home and school, Heidelberg is the largest playground I've ever encountered! In 2007, I got to spend 6+ glorious months living in a small 1-room apartment, walking all over the place/Europe, exploring new and wonderful things on mere pennies, or rather Euro-cents! I wouldn't trade those memories for the world! Now, onto the actual post! 


Heidelberg, located about 45 minutes south from Frankfurt, sits on the Neckar River and is host to Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, or the University of Heidelberg. Founded in 1386, this was the reason for my stay. Besides the college, Heidelberg is a great historic city with a wonderful castle, or what most people would call ruins! Built though the centuries, it houses a rather large wine barrel that can hold over 200,000 liters of whatever someone has that much of!

Sadly, there was a strong Nazi presence in Heidelberg in the 1930's, which resulted in a huge amphitheatre, called the "Thingstätte". Nazi presence lasted until March 1945, when they destroyed 2 bridges and left. Needless to say, US Military entered the next day. Since then, the US military has been present in HD! (PS: that's the only way I know how to get Taco Bell in Europe!) 

Heidelberg is located on the Castle Road and close to the Romantic Road. In fact, HD is the 3rd most visited city in Germany, behind Berlin and Munich. Another fun fact: General George Patton died in a HD hospital, after a car accident in the neighboring city of Mannheim.  

On another note, here are some things to see and do in Heidelberg:

• Altstadt: The old city. From Bizmarkplatz to the Schloss, this part of the city is charming and unique. Walking down the Hauptstraße, one can shop, snack or enjoy the pedestrian-only zone. 
• Alte Brücke: The old bridge. This bridge over the Neckar River is a must see for any tourist. As someone who had to cross this bridge every day to go to school, I can attest for the walking around of and dodging pictures from the tourists that flocked to see this old symbol of the city.  
• Universität Heidelberg: One of the oldest universities in Europe, this university is a series of old buildings including the old town hall, library and the old student jail. Yes, I said jail! 
• Philosophenweg: Philosopher's Path. This walking path up and down the north side of the Neckar is called after professors, philosophers, students and any other person used this path to walk and talk. 
• Heidelberg Castle: Somewhere around 1400, the first part of the castle was built. Over time, parts/sections on the castle were added on, destroyed and now preserved. The best part of the summer is the nights where the castle is lit with colored lights and proudly displayed with fireworks. 
• And more. Just ask! :) 

 Photos: 
1. View from the Heidelberg Castle, March 4, 2007 on my first tour of Heidelberg from Dr. Tracy.
2. Picture of the Heidelberg Castle taken from the Philosophenweg on the first day of Spring, 2007. (Yes, it snowed on the first day of Spring!)

Stop #3: Roma, Italia

Due to the upcoming Hallmark holiday of Valentine's Day, I made my next blog post devoted to Rome, Italy. In doing some quick Wiki-research to make sure I get my facts straight, I managed to completely convince myself Valentine's Day may be the biggest waste of media and consumer time! So to sum up what most scholars would say: St. Valentine was a martyred saint in ancient Rome. It is believed he was buried on February 14th... So my question is: how did we go from someone being buried to celebrating the day with a lover?!  Instead of even expressing more of my confusion, here is my Valentine's Day experience 4 years ago when I visited Rome, Italy with my sister Carolyn.

Rome, the capital of Italy, is located on the Tiber River. The city has be a major city for over 2500 years, thanks to all the Caesars, stabbings and fires that occurred there. Archeologist have found evidence of human life dating to way back, and let me tell you, it is reflected all over the city. It's a early-European history buff's dream city, along with all those native Latin-speakers! As the 11th most visited city in the world, Rome offers tons of eye-popping things to see and do. Not to mention the average daily temperatures only ranging from 53-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Oh and some great pizza, pasta, coffee and gelato (lots of gelato!).

So, here is my quick list of great things in Rome:

• Um, that big thing called the Colosseum. I may not be that big a fan of Russell Crowe, but one has to be in awe of the remains of the Roman Colosseum. First of all, watch out for the men in plastic armor! All they want is your money! Secondly, I love the European lack of safety. As anyone who's climbed the steps up in the Colosseum, great googly-mooggly! Not only are they large and in-charge, but they have been walked on for oh 2000+ years. They are smooth and when they are slightly wet, let's just say I feared for my life! But the view from the top is nothing but amazing. Those Roman's were good at a few things. Building large rock structures, check! 
• Trevi Fountain: The first time I visited the Trevi Fountain, my sister had me convinced it was this small fish fountain the the plaza over. Let's just say, when I saw the real thing, I was a little more impressed! Not only did we throw a coin over our shoulder, but we were surrounded by oodles of couples celebrating Valentine's Day. There were Roman's trying to sell us roses all over the place, so we did the next best thing... 
• Got gelato! In fact, we went back the next day, same place, for more gelato and the gelato man remembered us! We may have splurged one more time for some. You can't go wrong with any flavor. And let me tell you, any gelato in Italy can take out the best gelato in the USA. 
• Speaking of things to eat, you can't go wrong with any pizza, pasta, coffee or wine in Italy. Let's face it, these people perfected it. They know what they're doing. And it's ALL good! 
• Tons of ancient buildings, decor and surroundings. From the Roman Forum to the Pantheon and just passing bridges and parks, one feels like you just walked off the set of Gladiator. It's just amazing to think these pieces of buildings/structures have been around for thousands of years.  
• Scooters. I have a feeling, scooters are just an Italian thing. They are all over the place, the drivers are crazy, and one day, I totally want to rent a scooter and do the same!!
• Maybe the best perk to visiting Rome in February... walking around in t-shirt and jeans. 

 The only downfall is the language barrier, but the plus is the slightly smaller size of the city. One can easily walk from sight to sight or hop on the bus and get across town. Do watch out for pick-pockets around touristy areas and on buses. Although Rome was a little touristy, it is definitely a place I would go back to visit (especially in the winter and with my friend Sammie, my favorite Latin teacher)! Thanks to a well-know blue tourist's book guide, we were able to get a nice hotel for a cheaper, off-season rate. I would also recommend picking up a city guide book to help you figure out what landmark you just walked past!

Pictures: Colosseum and Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, both in February of 2007.

Stop #2 - New York City, USA

    After asking my international friends what they would like to see in the USA, the number one answer is always the City of New York, often referred to as New York City or NYC. As an American, the first few things that pop into my head are the Yankees, the Statue of Liberty and skyscrapers. But as a fan of NYC, I think of peanut-butter doughnuts, MTA cards and black coats.
     Let's go back and talk details! New York, New York, the most populous city in the United States of America, plays home to over 8.4 million. Back in 1624, I'm not sure that many people existed, nor would they have known where the City of New York was! The city was established as New Amsterdam and was a Dutch trading post. (Ever see the city's flag? Ya, nowadays I'm sure there would be some kind of copyright problems with it and the Dutch flag.) But alas when the British took over a mere 40 years later, it was renamed for the King Charles II's brother, the Duke of York. Today, the City of New York consists of the boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Some fun facts: It once served as the capital of the United States of America and lost 10% of it's population to yellow fever in 1702.
Obviously, New York City has significant historical history from the Revolution, to the slave trade and the Civil War, to what makes the United States so special, immigration. Thanks to a bad potato crop and what historians call The Great Irish Famine, by 1860, 1 in every 4 living in NYC was born in Ireland. People came from all over the world, including my distant relatives, seeking freedom, adventure and the American Dream. Over 12 million European immigrants came through Ellis Island from 1892-1924. Today, over 36% of the population is foreign born, a true definition of the phrase "melting pot".

Alright, so here are some highlights of NYC:
(Note: these are the authors opinions, obviously not everything in NYC can be mentioned!)

•  Central Park- Not only do they have a Zoo, but also a skating rink, annoying bike tours and tons of sites to see!
• Doughnut Plant- a personal favorite, I almost made it first!! Home to the peanut-butter and blackberry jelly doughnuts, along with other amazing doughnut!!
• World-renown  Universities: NYC is home to Columbia University, New York University, Julliard, Rockefeller University, Parsons School of Design and other well known colleges and universities. 
• The Subway and Taxis- I still can't tell you all the find details, but I know the A-D finger trick and the correct way to hold your MTA card as you swipe. I'm fascinated with the subway from the eclectic people you see to the tiled walls and stairways. Now as for taxis, they're all over, take credit cards and the reason I'd never drive in NYC! haha  
• The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island- Nothing says Happy 100th Birthday, USA, like a 151 foot tall state of Libertas the Roman goddess of freedom! Thanks, France. And Ellis Island obviously has great significance as a gateway for immigrants entering the US.
• Time Square- Talk about LED and neon sign overload! Thanks Wikipedia for telling me it is the largest commercial intersection in Manhattan. It used to be Longacre Square until 1904 when The New York Times moved their headquarters to a skyscraper at the corner Broadway and 7th Ave. 
• There are tons of other great things to see and do in NYC! If you want more information, check out the Official New York City Guide! Or honestly, just google "New York City", you can't go wrong! 

(Pictures: The Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, Dec. 2010. and  Wollman Rink, Central Park, New York, Dec. 2010.)

Stop #1: Munich, Germany

So I honestly don't know where to start. First of all, I picked Munich, Germany (or München as the locals call it), because it is hands down, one of my favorite cities to visit. In 2007, I visited this city 4 times, and each time, the city offers new and exciting things to see and partake in.
Background: Munich was established in 1158 by none other, than some Monks. Munich really grew on the map thanks to something called "white gold" or salt as we call it today. Well, location, location, location really helped due to the fact that Munich was located on what historians called the "Salt Route". They built a bridge and started charging all those travelers tolls to cross their bridge. Not rocket science, but it put them on the map.
So did another little even called "Oktoberfest". What most people would think is simple the German's excuse to drink a lot, this is actually a significant celebration. In 1810, good 'ol King Ludwig I got married. To celebrate, he had a public commemoration, aka a big party, with a few kegs of beer, some races and mostly everyone from around town. It went over so well, he decided on his anniversary to do it again. From there, the event grew with parades and events honoring the king. Today, they still celebrate that king, just in a different way. 

Enough history, so why visit Munich? Well here are a few of my favorite reasons: 

• Mike's Bike Tour: What better way to get around town than on a big California Cruiser? No really, the guide are great. They start at the Altstadt and make a nice big loop around the city. They add humor and facts to your tour: you simply will never forget this tour! (I did it 3 times in one year once!)
• Great Castles: Neuschwanstein (aka the Disney World castle) is a train ride and a long hike up a mountain away! Also, Nymphenburg Palace is located IN Munich. Both are wonderful for any Princess (or want-to-be Princess). 
• Um, Beer! Ok, I tried to put this as far down the list as I could, but I can't hold back any longer. Munich hosts many famous beer halls such as Augustiner and Hofbrau. Pick up a liter (or 2, maybe 3) and life will just seem a whole lot simpler! 
• BMW: Got a need for speed? Not only is the headquarters of the Bavarian Motor Works (or Bayerische Motoren Werke), but they have a great museum. Z7 and Z8's sitting in the lobby, trust me, car enthusiasts and joe smoe will enjoy this place! 
• Altstadt: The old city. This pedestrian zone is full of shops, people and picture-worthy items. You can not only see the Glockenspiel (honestly, so suspenseful! Who's going to win, red or blue?!), but other historical churches and really cool monuments. 
• And much, much more. From universities, the opera, the Englisch Garten (there are surfers there!), the Olympic Park and Stadium to great hostels and local public transportation, Munich has a little bit (or lot) for everyone. 

Oh, München, "i mog di"! 
Got any questions, comments, or tidbits of your own about Munich, let me know!  
(Pictures: 1. Englischer Garten in March 2007!  2. My sister Carolyn and myself before we embarked on a Mike's Bike tour in Feb 2007!)

Welcome

Hi! 

So I got the idea from a friend to blog about what I love to do, travel. Although he likes to find bargains, he gave me the idea to start my own blog about the places I've been or want to go one day. My goal is to showcase one place a week, more specifically a city that I've been to, in hope that it will inspire others to travel there (or just to explore the world around us). 

Just a quick blirp about myself. 

At the age of 12, my grandparents took me, my sisters and cousins abroad, in hopes of expanding our horizons. Obviously they did this in 4 trips: England (Scotland and Wales), China, Greece (and other Mediterranean Islands) and Germany. My cousin Missy and I were able to take a 2 week trip around Germany, and that is where my interest in Europe and specifically Germany came from. I went on to study German in high school, achieved my undergraduate degree in German and went on to teach German. Sounds like a little German overload, but as a study abroad student, I did my fair share of traveling around Europe. I have also made several trips back to Europe since. My goal is to travel around the world, despite the fact that I will need a job to support my goal! I also love seeing new places in the United States as well. 

My hope is that this blog will connect me with people who also love traveling and are willing to share their adventures with me! 

In the words of my friend Sammie, "Happy Trails!"

(Picture: @Neuschwanstein Castle, near Füssen, Germany. 2007)